Aliceara orchid plant named &#39;CAMBLYQE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of x  Aliceara  plant named ‘CAMBLYQE’, particularly characterized by having large, flecked flowers with a large purple lip, 1-3 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are lanceolate and elongated to very elongated, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture is disclosed.

Genus and species: Nothogenus: x Aliceara.

Variety denomination: ‘CAMBLYQE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of x Aliceara plant, botanically known as x Aliceara of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘CAMBLYQE’.

Miltonia, Oncidium, Brassia and some other genera are a complex group of orchid species that are easily hybridized. The boundaries between the genera have been under discussion for the last several decades. According to the most recent classification by Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen (Genera Orchidacearum), the plant herein described is most likely a complex hybrid between Miltonia, Oncidium and Brassia species, hence called x Aliceara.

All x Aliceara plants exhibit a sympodial growth habit. The species typically have 4 to 6 leaves per mature pseudobulb: most of the time one lanceolate leaf with an acute apex grown on the apex of the pseudobulb and four leaves grown from the axis at the base (sympodial growth), with two leaves on each side. The peduncles vary in size from 20-70 cm.

x Aliceara orchids are used as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape. x Aliceara produces upright or pendent lateral racemes or panicles, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and two petals, the lateral ones being alike and having a peculiar labellum. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow, and red-brown.

x Aliceara orchids are typically propagated from tissue culture. Asexual propagation of x Aliceara is often done from off-shoots which arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plants and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new x Aliceara ‘CAMBLYQE’ is particularly characterized by its attractive and unique large, flecked flowers with a large purple lip, economical propagation by tissue culture, early flowering, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

‘CAMBLYQE’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

The new x Aliceara ‘CAMBLYQE’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in January 2008 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The female parent is a yellow-green x Bratonia pot plant named ‘60000-0375’ (unpatented) and the male parent is a purple-red Oncidium pot plant named ‘60000-0426’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected by the inventor from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands in June 2011.

Asexual reproduction of ‘CAMBLYQE’ by meristem tissue culture since 2013 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europe on Nov. 25, 2016. ‘CAMBLYQE’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

-   -   1) Large, flecked flowers with a large purple lip;     -   2) 1-3 peduncles;     -   3) Peduncle is long and sturdy;     -   4) The shape of the leaf is lanceolate and elongated to very         elongated; and     -   5) Plants are propagated by meristem tissue culture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new x Aliceara plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a 70-week old plant grown in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands in October 2017.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘CAMBLYQE’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘CAMBLYQE’.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the leaves of ‘CAMBLYQE’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘CAMBLYQE’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 70-week old plants which were planted from tissue culture to a plug and then to 12 centimeter pots, and grown in a greenhouse between 20° C. to 25° C. Observations were made in October 2017. Color readings were taken under 4000-6000 lux natural light in the greenhouse. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—x Aliceara.         -   Common name.—Cambria.         -   Variety name.—‘CAMBLYQE’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—x Bratonia cultivar ‘60000-0375’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Oncidium cultivar ‘60000-0426’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time (time to produce a finished flowering plant).—50             to 70 weeks for a 12 cm pot.         -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Upright.         -   Height (including pot, including inflorescence).—65.0 cm to             75.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—35.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-cream (RHS 161C) colored roots,             lightly branching with light cream growing tips (RHS 157A). -   Pseudobulb:     -   -   Number of pseudobulbs.—1 to 3.         -   Shape.—Laterally compressed ovoid.         -   Length.—11.0 cm to 12.0 cm.         -   Width.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm.         -   Thickness.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Color.—Green (RHS 146B). -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per pseudobulb: 4 to 6 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 28.0 cm             to 33.0 cm. Width: 3.5 cm to 4.5 cm. Attitude of the leaves:             Erect to semi-erect. Shape: Lanceolate. Base shape:             Elongated to very elongated. Apex: Acute. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS             147B. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Smooth.             Thickness: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Venation: Pattern: Parallel.             Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 147B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—5 to 8.         -   Length.—From 54.0 cm to 64.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green (mix of RHS 144A and 144B).         -   Internode length.—80.0 mm to 90.0 mm.         -   Number of branches.—0.         -   Callosities.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright, raceme inflorescence with bilaterally             symmetrical flowers that open in succession beginning with             the lowermost flower.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to             230.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 4 to 8 months             after planting in a 12 cm pot. Number of flowers of the             inflorescence: 6 to 9.         -   Flower.—Height: 90.0 mm to 95.0 mm. Diameter: 88.0 mm to             93.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 2 to 6 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—Present; difficult to describe. Degree of the             fragrance: Weak/faint.         -   Petals.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Margin: Undulated.             Curvature: Moderately incurving. Curvature of the             longitudinal axis: Moderately incurving. Texture (both upper             and lower surfaces): Leathery, thick, but not shiny. Length             (from base to tip): 42.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to             19.0 mm. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: Light green (RHS 145C/D). Over color: Dark red-brown             flecks (RHS 183A/B) and dark red tips (RHS 187A/B). Lower             surface: Basic color: Light green (RHS 195B). Over color:             Diluting dark red-brown flecks (RHS 183B) and dark red tips             (RHS 187B).         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire.             Curvature: Moderately recurving. Curvature of the             longitudinal axis: Moderately recurving. Texture (both upper             and lower surfaces): Leathery, thick, but not shiny. Length             (from base to tip): 49.0 mm to 51.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to             20.0 mm. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: Light green (RHS 145C). Over color: Dark red-brown             flecks (RHS 183B) and dark red tips (RHS 187B). Lower             surface: Basic color: Light green (RHS 145C). Over color:             Diluting dark red-brown flecks (RHS 183B) and dark red tips             (RHS 187B).         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Elliptic. Margin: Entire. Curvature:             Moderately incurving. Curvature of the longitudinal axis:             Moderately incurving. Texture (both upper and lower             surfaces): Leathery, thick, but not shiny. Length (from base             to tip): 51.0 mm to 53.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light             green (RHS 145C). Over color: Dark red-brown flecks (RHS             183B) and dark red tips (RHS 187B). Lower surface: Basic             color: Green (RHS 146D) and lighter green toward the margin             (RHS145C). Over color: Diluting dark red-brown margin (RHS             183B) and dark red tips (RHS 187B).         -   Labellum (lip).—Length: 37.0 mm to 39.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm             to 30.0 mm.         -   Lateral lobe.—Size in relation to apical lobe: Smaller.             Color: Upper surface: White (RHS 155C) at the base with dark             red flecks (RHS 187B). Lower surface: Very light green (RHS             157A).         -   Apical lobe.—Margin: Undulated. Apex: Emarginated.             Indentation of apex: Medium. Curvature of the longitudinal             axis: Moderately incurving; becoming recurving toward the             apex. Color: Upper surface: Purple-red (RHS N79C/D). Lower             surface: Light purple (RHS 76B) in the middle and dark             purple-red toward the edge (RHS N79D).         -   Callus.—Color: Yellow (RHS 6A) with dark red-brown spots             (RHS 183B). Shape: Indescribable. Average size:             Indescribable. Average number of protuberance: 3 to 5. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present.         -   Column.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 5.2 mm to             5.5 mm. Color: Dark red-brown (RHS 183B) at the base and             light yellow-green (RHS 157A) toward the cap. Wings:             Present.         -   Cap.—Average size: 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Shape: Oval cup shape.             Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 157A) with dark red-brown             spot in the middle (RHS 183B).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange (RHS 15A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to 2.8             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Diameter: 2.4 mm to             2.6 mm. Color: Light green (RHS 144C) at the base; slightly             darker green (RHS 144B) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to date. -   Temperature tolerance: Not observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘CAMBLYQE’ differs from female parent ‘60000-0375’ (unpatented) in that ‘CAMBLYQE’ has a lateral lobe upper surface with white at the base and dark red flecks, and a light yellow-green cap with a dark red-brown spot in the middle, whereas ‘60000-0375’ has a lateral lobe upper surface with dark red at the base and a white edge, and a cap with a mix of green and dark red. Additionally, ‘CAMBLYQE’ has longer and wider petals than ‘60000-0375’.

The male parent plant of ‘CAMBLYQE’, cultivar ‘60000-0426’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence, so a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘CAMBLYQE’ is most similar to the commercial x Aliceara plant named ‘CAMBOELBO’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 15/732,641). ‘CAMBLYQE’ differs from commercial variety ‘CAMBOELBO’ in that ‘CAMBLYQE’ has light yellow-green flowers with a flecked pattern and a column that is dark red-brown at the base with yellow-green toward the cap, whereas ‘CAMBOELBO’ has red-purple flowers with a small center pattern and a yellow-green column. Additionally, ‘CAMBLYQE’ has a narrower lip than ‘CAMBOELB0’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of x Aliceara plant named ‘CAMBLYQE’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 